The absence of Earnhardt couldn’t come at a worse time for the track, which hosts its annual fall race this weekend. Despite the pleasant weather anticipated, some last-minute, walk-up ticket buyers could be deterred by the absence of NASCAR’s top star.

Wells Fargo Securities on Wednesday pronounced the industry “challenged” in a research report on International Speedway Corp., the publicly held rival to Smith and Concord-based Speedway Motorsports Inc. (NYSE:TRK), which owns the Charlotte track and seven others.

That assessment came days after the Anniston Star in Alabama reported the Sprint Cup race last weekend in Talladega attracted 88,000 fans, the smallest crowd in its history.

Speedway spokesman Scott Cooper says the news of Earnhardt missing the race was discussed during a staff meeting this morning at the track.

“We talked briefly about it,” he says. “Certainly, we’re disappointed for Junior Nation that they won’t get to see him race on his home track, but these drivers’ safety and health have to come first.” Smith, Cooper says, offered a tongue-in-cheek assessment during the staff meeting. “Marcus said his second-biggest disappointment (after Earnhardt missing the race) was that Rick Hendrick hadn’t called” with an offer to put Smith in the No. 88 race car.

And, as Smith made clear during an earlier interview with mention of expected expansion of infield suites next year, reports of racing’s demise have been exaggerated. Even amid recent declines in ticket revenue, he sees cause for optimism.

“For a lot of people it’s still tough ... but we’re seeing little signs of positive movement here and there,” he said. “It really is the worst economy since the Great Depression. It’s been hard on everybody. You do your best with the hand you’re dealt. Thankfully, a lot of people out there are still huge race fans, and it’s a great place for marketers to invest their dollars building relationships with our race fans. And they see results from it.”

For more from Smith on the state of NASCAR, see tomorrow’s print edition of the Charlotte Business Journal.